When I, Constantine Augustus [emperor of the Western Roman Empire], as well as I, Licinius Augustus [emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire], fortunately met near Mediolarnurn [Milan] … Therefore … it has pleased us to remove all conditions whatsoever, which were in the rescripts formerly given to you officially, concerning the Christians; and now any one of these who wishes to observe the Christian religion may do so freely and openly, without molestation … we have also conceded to other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he pleases; this regulation is made that we may not seem to detract from any dignity or any religion … And since these Christians are known to have possessed not only those places in which they were accustomed to assemble, but also other property, namely the churches … all these things which we have included under the above law, you will order to be restored, without any hesitation or controversy.
translated from Lactantius, “Of the Manner in which the Persecutors Died” (48), in the Documents of the Christian Church, p. 17